touch

“Amatherapy without massage is like an orchestra without a conductor” ~ Robert Tisserand

There is no denying that human touch has a distinctive “feel good” factor attached to it. Whether it is a gentle caress of a mother to comfort a crying child or the reassuring hug of a friend in difficult times, the warmth of another human body sends positive signals throughout our body and to our brains.
Since aromatherapy is all about mind-body balance and holistic healing, it is quite natural that touch should have a large role to play in it. My fascination with the sense of touch started when many years ago, I read the book ‘Aromatherapy to Heal and Tend the Body’ by Robert Tisserand.
The author of the book states:

“In a study at Purdue University, Indiana, in 1986, students who took out books from the library were interviewed as they came out. They were asked specific questions relating to their opinion of the library and whether the checkout assistant had smiled at them. The library assistant treated everyone in exactly the same way, except that every other student was lightly touched on the hand as their library card was handed back to them. Those who were touched formed a more positive view of the library than those who were not and often thought that the assistant had smiled at them, although the fact she had not.”

The power of touch can be gauged from the fact that it is the first sense we develop in the womb and the last one we lose before death. It helps us communicate without words, connect with our environment and share emotions. Physical contact with a loved one not only feels nice and warm, it is essential for our wellbeing as it keeps feelings of loneliness and apathy at bay.
Massage and aromatherapy go hand in hand. You can start to create a loving atmosphere at home with those you love by indulging them in a relaxing massage. Even people who are not used to being touched, usually comply when their hands and feet are massaged.
I have created different massage oils for different conditions, but you can always create your own concoctions based on the purpose you want them for and the scents you prefer. Here are some guidelines:
Citrus essential oils:Bergamot, Grapefruit, Lemon, Orange, Mandarin, Citrus Delight Aromatherapy Blend, are always bright, happy and uplifting. They are safe to use during pregnancy and are liked by most people.
Calming oils:Lavender, Clary Sage, Cedarwood, Sandalwood, SERENO Sleep Time Body OilStimulating oils: Rosemary, Peppermint, Basil, Cardamom,Ginger and Adrenal Support Body OilRomantic oils:Jasmine, Rose, Ylang Ylang, Patchouli and Romance Body OilDigestive oils:Ginger, Cardamom, Fennel,Orange,Rosemary, Basil, Cinnamon and Digestive Body OilOils that can help improve circulation: Cypress, Lemon, Rosemary, Pine and Circulation Body Oil
Add a total of 60 drops of your favorite essential oils to a 4 oz bottle of carrier oil and start enjoying the wonders of an aromatherapy massage.
Apart from the immediate emotional benefits, massage also has several positive effects on physical health. Not only does it improve blood circulation, it also stimulates the lymphatic system, boosts immunity, relieves pain, reduces muscular tension and controls blood pressure. Massage is also very effective against insomnia and stress-related conditions.
I invite you to start today, sharing the loving touch of an aromatherapy massage.